The 21st annual Virginia Festival of the Book will be March 18-22, 2015. Over the past decade I have worked with Festival staff to ensure one or more LGBTQ-themed panel or panel of LGBTQ authors in each festival. I’ve moderated a wide variety of panels–on scientific and medical issues with LGBTQ identities, on public policy issues, on issues of Constitutional law, memoirists, the work of fiction writers, readings of stories about and for LGBTQ youth, transgender themed panels, LGBTQ mystery writers, etc. – and want to continue. Virginia law is particularly oppressive of LGBTQ individuals, families, and communities; so, the more LGBTQ authors on diverse LGBTQ themes the better!

The Festival is now accepting proposals. There is an October 1st deadline. Find that info here.

Authors can apply directly. Community submissions to the Festival have historically been very important to the Festival. It is very much a ‘community festival’ with events all over the area, in book stores, auditoriums, public and private schools, libraries, and of course around the University of Virginia. I’ve moderated a reading in a local restaurant/bar too. So, I’m glad to hear from authors who may have ideas for panel themes that include their recent book(s) and recent books of other authors.